It would have been a hot image maker for Super Bowl no-show General Motors: Beyoncé in the all-new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.

GM says that it was working with the superstar singer to put the hot new 'Vette into her halftime show at the Super Bowl on Sunday night, but the deal "did not work out."

GM notably passed on Super Bowl ads this year, saying it could spend its money in better ways. That was viewed skeptically by analysts who noted that GM has several crucial product launches this year -- events suited to the Super Bowl's huge ad stage -- including two just underway: the redesigned pickups unveiled in December and the Corvette that made its debut Jan. 13.

The Chevrolet and GMC pickups are critical sales and profit generators. And Mary Barra, GM global product development chief, describes the Corvette Stingray as a halo product for the Chevy, meaning it will boost the brand's image even though it won't be sold in high volumes.

Linking the supercar Corvette with superstar Beyoncé in the Super Bowl -- watched by more then 108 million people -- would have been a publicity coup for the company and the coupe. And her show, which was sponsored by Pepsi, received almost universal praise.

While GM sat out the game, nine automakers had 13 commercials among the 55 ads. The Ford brand sat it out, but Ford Motor had two ads the Lincoln MKZ. And Chrysler was back with two big-budget, two-minute ads that USA TODAY's Ad Meter consumer panel placed in their top five favorite game ads.

For two weeks leading up the Big Game, GM referred to rumors of the sports car showing up in the halftime show as "speculation," but a company statement Monday said: "We were glad to help when we were approached by the producers of the Super Bowl halftime show about the possibility of integrating a car into the show production."

With just days to go before the big game, it still was a possibility, but ultimately, the deal fell through, GM said. "We worked with all the parties involved on a variety of possibilities, including one scenario that would have included the new Corvette Stingray as part of the show. In the end, it did not work out."